Fire inspections

The annual fire inspection has been conducted and the required reports have been submitted to the New York State Education Department. For questions please contact Tony DiPace at 284-2266.

Pesticide notification

The Sharon Springs Central School District may use pesticide products periodically throughout the year. The Pesticide Neighbor Notification Law requires school districts to maintain a list of staff and persons in a parental relation who wish to receive 48-hour written notice prior to the application of pesticides. Written notifications will include the date, locations and product used for each application.

For further information or to be placed on the school-specific 48-hour notification list, please contact Mr. Tony DiPace, Business Manager at 284-2266.

Dignity for All Students Act (DASA)

New York State’s Dignity for All Students Act (The Dignity Act) took effect on July 1, 2012. The Dignity for All Students Act, which took effect July 1, requires the District to take a more active role in dealing with student bullying issues. This includes dealing with incidents outside of school including instances of texting and “cyber bullying.” A “hard copy” of the message will be required for the investigation and/or intervention. Our Guidance Counselor, Brenda Stetin, will be serving as the Dignity Act Coordinator for the 2013-14 school year.

Non-discrimination notice

The Sharon Springs Central School District does not discriminate in employment or in the education programs and activities which it operates on the basis of sex, sexual orientation, age, ethnicity, religion, race, or handicap in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendment of 1972, or §504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the NYS Human Rights Law. Inquiries regarding this non-discrimination notice may be directed to Section 504/Title IX Coordinator, Tony DiPace, Business Manager at 284-2266.

District-Wide School Safety Plan

The Sharon Springs Central School District has developed a District-wide School Safety Plan and confidential Building-level School Safety Plans for each building as required by New York State Safe School Against Violence in Education (S.A.V.E.) Law. This law requires the district to annually provide written information to all students and staff about emergency procedures. As required, the District-wide School Safety Plan was originally submitted to the New York State Education Department in June 2001. Each confidential Building-level Emergency Response Plan was originally submitted to the local police and New York State Police in June 2001.

The District-wide School Safety Team annually reviews the District-wide School Safety Plan. The Building-level School Safety Teams annually review the confidential Building-level Emergency Response Plans. All updates are approved by the Board of Education prior to re-submitting them to the New York State Education Department and the local police and New York State Police respectively.

The district will provide training throughout the year and will conduct at least twelve fire drills and conduct a district-wide drill to test sheltering plans and/or early dismissal. Emergency evacuation information is posted in each classroom and Emergency School Closing information can be found in the district calendar. For more information concerning the District-wide School Safety Plan, please contact Mr. Patterson Green, Superintendent/Building Principal at 284-2266.

Emergency Management Plan

The Sharon Springs Central School District has developed an Emergency Disaster Preparedness Plan as required by the State Education Law 155.13. It is required that each public school district has emergency plans in place and that the information of emergency procedures be provided to all students and staff. The District will provide training drills throughout the school year and conduct at least 12 fire drills, in addition to a “go home drill” to test the transportation and communication systems. Emergency evacuation route information is posted in each classroom. If you would like more information regarding the schools Emergency Management Plan, please contact Mr. Patterson Green, Acting Superintendent/Building Principal.

Asbestos Management Plan (Planned for Summer of 2019)

In accordance with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) of 1987 (40 CFR Part 763), the Sharon Springs Central School District is required to give annual notification stating that the Asbestos Management Plan for each building is available and kept in the main office. These records are available for review during normal business hours. Six-month periodic asbestos surveillances as well as a triennial inspection are required in pursuant of AHERA. The next triennial inspection is required to be performed by July 8, 2019. To date, no asbestos projects are scheduled. If any are scheduled in the future, all work shall be conducted according to all applicable local, state and federal regulations. For more information, please contact the LEA Asbestos Designee, Mr. Tony DiPace, Business Manager at 284-2266

Release of Student Information Under No Child Left Behind (NCLB)

Pursuant to the federal education legislation also known as No Child Left Behind Act, Sharon Springs Central School must disclose to military recruiters, upon request, the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of high school students. The District must also notify parents of their rights and the right of the child to request that the District not release such information without prior written parental consent. Parents (or students if they are 18 or older) wishing to exercise their option to withhold their consent to the release of the above information to military recruiters are asked to sign and return the Release of Student Information to Military Recruiters form (PDF) to the Guidance Office.

Anti-Idling Law

The Anti-Idling Law prohibits the idling of a diesel or non-diesel fueled engine for more than five consecutive minutes except to maintain temperatures inside the vehicles during the cold or hot weather when it is required by certain regulations and the operation of equipment.

Sharon Springs Central Schools Transportation Department monitors compliance with the Anti-Idling Laws. When loading or unloading our buses at school, buses are shut off during those times. The school is also responsible to ensure visitors at our school follow the same rules and regulations regarding the idling of buses.

Emergency information sheets

Emergency information sheets will be sent home with your child on the first day of school. Please update the health, address, phone and emergency contact information and return the sheet to school with your child the next day. Also, if information should change during the school year, please be sure to let the school know as soon as possible. Up-to-date phone numbers and emergency contacts are essential for the safety of your child.

Firearms prohibited

As stated in the Sharon Springs Central School Board of Education Policy, no student shall bring a firearm or any portion of a firearm on the premises of a school or any area controlled by the School District. School premises means all school owned, leased, or otherwise controlled buildings, grounds and transportation vehicles.

In accordance to Section 921 of Title 18 of the United States Code, (Gun-Free Schools Act of 1994), and Education Law 3214, and #205, any student possessing a firearm on school premises will be subject to a penalty of at least one year’s suspension from school, though the Superintendent of Schools may modify this policy based on circumstances and the student’s previous record. A suspended student will be provided with alternative instruction during the suspension period.

Drug Free/Tobacco Free School Zone

Sharon Springs Central School is considered a Drug Free/Tobacco Free School Zone. Anyone arrested and convicted of selling or using illegal drugs within 1,000 feet of school property will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law by civil authorities. Penalties are harsher in this Zone than in the community at large.

Signs have been posted at the entrances to our building and on the grounds to serve as a warning that our District has no tolerance toward illegal drugs.

Teacher Qualifications Request

In accordance with the Federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, parents/guardians have the right to request specific information about the professional qualifications of their children’s classroom teachers. As a parent/guardian of a student in the Sharon Springs Central School District, you have the right to request the following information:

If the teachers has met New York State qualifications and licensing criteria for the grade levels and subject areas he or she teachers.

Whether the teacher is teaching under emergency or other provisional status through which the State qualification or licensing criteria have been waived;

The teacher’s college major; whether the teacher has any advanced degrees and, if so, the subject of the degrees; and

If your child is provided services by any instructional aides or similar paraprofessionals provide services to your child and, if they do, their qualifications.

Requests for information about the qualifications of your child’s teacher(s) can be directed to Patterson Green at (518)284-2267.